CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 6

CHESS

[Conducted by D.H.Et.] The Ofßgo Club meets for pliy at the rooms, Allbcll Buildings,Stuart street, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening at 7.S® o'clock. Visitor* are cordially invited to attend, and by ringing up 22-64 S arrangements could be made (or a game any afternoon and evening as the rooms are open tc both club members and visitors at any time. • TO CORRESPONDENTS. - fW« invite communications on all matters eon earning chess. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses will receive our attention, and if •) sufficient merit will be inserted. All communications to ba addressed “ Chess Editor,” * Evening Star.*] # F.K.K. (Wellington).—Thanks for tele-’ gram, letters, : etc. E.O.S. (Wanganui).—Obliged for letter. Hops you will be able to play at Auckland and do well. A.W.P. ■ (Kelburn).—Looking forward to your visit to Dunedin. R.E.B. (Auckland). —Thanks for congress notes. ■' j E.A.L. , (Invercargill).—Have delivered message and your congratulations are appreciated. , , THE SEASON’S GREETINGS. We have much pleasure in tendering tc our correspondents, .solvers, and readers our sincere wish that they may have a pleasant Christmas end; enjoyable holidays. , CORRECT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2475:,JiA.0. (Mornington), R.M‘D. (Rcislyn), j.S.M.L. (Dunedin), J.E.D. (Dun T edin), A.E. (Roslyn), J.J-M. (Musselburgh), T.J.W. (St‘. ■ Kilda), A.T.M'D. (Mornington), E.A.L. (Invercargill), King (Timaru), W.A.M. (Dunedin). 2476: J.A.C. (Mornington), R.M‘D. (Eoslyn), J.S.M.L. (Dunedin), A.E. (Roslyn), J.J.M. (Musselburgh), A.J.M'D. (Morning, ton), E.A’.L. (Invercargill), King (Timaru), W.A.M. (Dunedin). SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. ; - ■ 2475:' K-B 4. : ' 2476: B-Q 5., If 1... P x B: 2 Kt-Kt 5 ch, etc. IM..;R-x B, Q-Q 3 ch, etc. If 1... Kt-B 5,2 Kt xP ch, etc. If 1... P-B 4; 2 B x K P ch, etc. : ; ■' PROBLEM 2,477. : ■ •(By G. Guidclli.) White, 9 pieces.

Black, 10 pieces. White to play and mate in two. , 4 K Q 2 | 5 p Kt 3 | IP P kpbßll 811P1Plr1p | 4 Kt 5 1 b 6 B ] 2 q 1 R -3. ’ ' ' PROBLEM 2,478. (By H. W, Gibbins.) White, 2 pieces.

Black, 4 pieces. White plays and mates in three moves. B|Blß|B|7Q| 5 p p K 1 8 | 6 r k. CARO-KANN. Much has been written about the mental processes' of the “ blindfold ” chess expert, but nothing' about those of the conductor of a “ living ” game. It must be difficult to spot (for example), a pawn, squatting on-its square ala Turque, behind a queen; and the use of a pocket board would pay a poor compliment to the actors. Hero is a lively game from the recent exhibition at the Hurlingham Club:— White, R, P. kitchell; Black, B. C. Griffiths. 1 P-K 4 P-Q B 3 2 P-Q 4 P-Q 4 3PxP P x P 4 P-Q B 4 P-K 3 . 5 Kt-Q B 3 Kt-K B 3 6 Kt-B 3 B-K 2 7 B-Q 3 Castles 8 Castles Kt-B 3 9 R-K 1 Kt-Q Kt 5 10 B-B 1, P x P 11 B x P......Q Kt-Q 4 . 12 Kt xKt (a) Px Kt • 13 B-Q 3......8- K Kt 5 14 B-KKt 5 Kt-K .5 (b); 15 B x B Q x B 16 Q-B 2 (c) Q R-B 1 17 Q-K 2 P-B 4 18 P-K R 3 (d) Bx Kt 19 P x B (e)......Q-Kt 4 ch 20 K-B 1 Q-B 5 21 P x Kt (f)......8 P x P 22 Q-B 1 (g) Rx P 23 Resigns (h). (a) Giving Black the initiative. Why net Kt-K 5? ; ■ (b) The game now begins to have “ exhibition value.” (c) Or at once Q-K 2. In the result,, it does not matter much. (d) Creating a weakness, in the wellworn phrase. (e) Too dangerous. On the other hand, Q x B, is too supine. So what is a poor “ dying ”, chess player to do? (f) What else is there? If K-Kt 2, R-Q B 3! (g) B x P holds the position for a while. (h) Q-Kt 1, Q x P ch, and mates next move. —‘ Observer.’ MATE IN TEN. The following is a magnificent example cf the heights to which a problemist can rise at times. It was played at Prague in 1896 between B. Mikyska (White) and the problemist K. Traxler (Black). The game was played by correspondence:— 1 P-K 4 P-K 4 2 Kt-K B 3 Kt-Q B 3 3 B-B 4 Kt-B 3 • 4 Kt-Kt 5 B-B 4 (a) sKtx B P (b) .p xP ch (c) 6 K-B I Q-K 2*' 7Kt x R P-Q 4 8 P x P Kt-Q 5 9 P-B 3 (d) B-Kt 5! 10 Q-R 4 ch Kt-Q PI 11 K x B (e) Q-R 5 ch 12K-K 3 (f) Q-Kt 4 ch , 13 K-B 2 Q-B 4 ch! V

14 K-Kt 1 Castles 15 P x Kt R-B 1 16 P-K R 3 Q-B 7 ch 17 K-R 2 B x PI 18 K x B (g) And Black announced mate in 10 moves by 18 P-K Kt 4 19 P-K Kt 3 P-Kt 5 ch 20 K-R 4 Q-B 3 ch 21 K x P R-Kt 1 ch 22 Kt-Kt 6 R x Kt ch 23 K-R 3 Q-B 7 24 Q x Kt ch K x Q 25 B-Kt 5 ch K-Q X 26 R-K Kt 1 Q x R. 27 P-K Kt 4 R-K R 3 mate. (a) At first glance this looks like an oversight, but it was quite a favourite move with 'i'raxler until his opponents found the right reply 5 P-Q 4! (b) Or 5 B x P ch, K-B 1; 6 B-Kt 3. (c) For if 6 K x B, Kt x P ch; 7 K-Kt 1, Q-R 5; 8 Q-B 1, R- B 1; wins. Or if 7 K-K 3, Q-R 5; 8 P-Kt 3, Kt x P! 9 P x Kt Q x Kt P: 10 K-K 4, P-Q 4 ch; 11 B x P, Q-B 5 ch wins. (d) E-K 2 is better. (e) Or 11 P x Kt. Q-B 3; 12 P x P, Q-B 5. (f) .If 12 K-B- 1, castles, while .if 12 P-K Kt 3. Q-B 3ch; 13 K-K 1! Q-B 6; 14 P x Kt, Q-K 4 ch; 15 K-B 2, castles. (g) And now Black is four pieces down. . —‘ Australasian.’ THE NEW ZEALAND CHESS ASSOCIATION. The quarterly meeting of the council of i'n N.Z.C.A. was held in the Wellington Chess Club’s room on December 2, the following delegates being present;—Messrs A. T. Craven (president), J. C. M'Crea (hon. secretary),. G. P. Anderson, Johannes C. Anderson, K. Beyer, F. Vincent, F. K. Kelling, A E, Jessup, W. White, E. H. Soverne, R. C. Sim, H. J. Cleland, J. Read, and E. E. Hicks. Letters were received re Lajos Steiner’s suggested visit to New Zealand, and from Messrs do Cock (hon. secretary Australian Chess Federation), C. J. S. Purdy (editor * A.C.R.’), and Steiner himself. It was su^-,

gested that the Hungarian master should come to this Dominion in the latter end of February for a month’s tour, and a guarantee of £SO would be required, together with free accommodation for the visitor. A committee consisting of the president (convener), the hon. secretary, Messrs Sim, White, and Hardy was set up to circularise the associated clubs and to act generally as a “ Steiner Visit Committee.” The general opinion expressed at the meeting was in favour of the invitation to the Hungarian master, as his visit to New Zealand would be of groat value to all clubs and players. The Hastings Chess Club was formally admitted to the membership of the association. A number of detail matters were dealt with, including arrangements for the forthcoming congress at Auckland, £3O being voted towards the prize fund, and also the petition to Parliament re praying for a reduction of charges for the use of the telegraph wires for chess matches and permission to play chess by radio. THE 1936-37 ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND CONGRESS. There are now 15'- final entries for the main event, the New Zealand championship—viz.;— Auckland.—D. I. Jones, lan Burry, C. B. Newick, and H. (M’Nabb. Wanganui.—R. 0. Scott. Wellington C.C.—G. P. Anderson and E. H. Severne. Wellington W.M. Club. —F. K. Kelling, K. Beyer, and F. Vincent. Canterbury C.C. —J. A. Hunter, R. H. Abbott, and S. Hindin. Southland C.C.—J. A. Erskine. Hastings C.A.—D. Lynch. As the rules provide that the number of entries for the main event must not exceed 14, the Selection Board has eliminated F. Vincent, who will play in the premier reserves. So far Mrs H. R. Abbott (Christchurch), the present holder of the title, and Mrs Short (Auckland) are the only entrants for the ladies’ championship of New Zealand.

General regret is felt in chess circles that Mr A. W. Gyles is unable to go to Auckland to defend his title of New Zealand chess champion. The following notes''regarding the various competitors for the 1936-37 New Zealand championship should bo of interest; — D. J. Jones (Auckland), who is a strong board player, again won the championship of the Auckland Chess Club this year by a fair margin of points. In the 1933-34 congress in Dunedin he tied for place, and last year in Wellington tied with his club-mate I. Burry for third place. T. Burry (Auckland), who also holds a high reputation not only as a player but as a' chess student, played in last year’s congress, and, as previously stated, tied with Jones for third honours.' Judging by his recent play ho should do even better this year. C. B. Newick (Auckland) was runner-up for the Auckland Club championship this year, and has not previously played in a championship congress. He has recently won the top rung of the ladder from Jones. H. M'Nabb (Auckland), whose entry is a private one, brings to the congress a veryhigh reputation as a skilful and sound player, and was an old • opponent of Severne’s in Nelson. Owing to having had to live in the country for some years, he has not had much club practice lately, but his friends think that he will give a good account of himself. . R. 0. Scott again won the Wanganui Chess Club’s championship this year, a position ho has held before, without a loss. He is exceedingly well known in chess circles tfiroughout the Dominion, as his business ifives him an opportunity of visiting all foe clubs. His congress record is not very high, but he is appreciated as a strong, sound player, who cannot be taken toe easily. . G. P. Anderson (Wellington C.C.) is one of the Dominion’s strongest players, and generally plays on the top board for Wellington Club matches. His first appearance in congress play was in Wellington in the 1919-20 championship, but we regret that we have no record of his latest performances. There is no , doubt, however, that he will be high up on the prize-list, j

E. H. Severne (Wellington C.C.), -who for many years represented Nelson, now belongs to the Wellington W.M.C.C. His reputation in congress play,, which goes back to 1916, is that he has drawn more games than any other player, and has gone through three congresses without a loss; but has never won the Dominion championship, although three or four times apparently had it in his grasp, but just missed, perhaps through over cautiousness. He can show 14- prizes won in the_ 22 congresses that he has played in. His many well-wishers hope that , his name will be engraved on the cup in 1937. F. K. Rolling (W.M.C.C.) first played in a congress at Dunedin in 1903. He again played in 1906 and since then has rarely missed a congress. _ He first won the Dominion championship in 1909 and again secured this honour in 1914, and has a, record for brilliancy prizes, and can show 22 prizes won in his 28 congresses. He won the Wellington Working Men’s Club championship 46 years ago, ho has had this honour several times, and won it again this year. He has a world-wide reputation as e chess journalist and expert, and one who has done much to advance the cause and popularise the game of chess in New Zealand, and is popularly known as the father of the game here. He acts as correspondent for several _ Australian, English, and European magazines. R. Beyer (W.M.C C.) is another exceptionally good player, and came to New Zealand from Denmark with a high reputation. He played in last year’s congress, but was not in his best form. The Canterbury players, Hunter, Abbott, and Hindin are another strong combination. Abbott played in last year’s congress, and showed good form, but neither of his club mates has so far competed in congress play in New Zealand, but either of them may create a surprise. D. Lynch is the present champion of tho Hastings C.C., and although not well known, is said to be a very promising player. AUCKLAND NOTES. The ' Auckland Club is feeling the responsibility of staging the congress this

year, but arrangements are well in hand. Three tournaments are to be held, unless a sudden rush at the eleventh hour compels a fourth, the minor, to be run. The premier reserves will bo well represented, and the championship event has a full quota. ■ Accommodation for players will be dimcult to obtain, and it is to be trusted that competitors have made their own arrangements. , Mr C. B. Newick, a young player, who is competing in the congress for the first time, is showing good form, for he has beaten Jones for tho top rung of the ladder at the local club. A new club has been formed here, called the Mount Eden Club, but it is not anticipated that there will be an exodus of players from the main club as a result. Own correspondent. THE BRITISH CORRESPONDENCE CHESS ASSOCIATION. Latest results:--- ■ Trophies Tourney.■---Championship ;_W, T. M’Carthy 1, C. B. Newick 0; W. T. M’Carthv 1, B. L. Lo Petit 0. Class 4; W. T. H. Symons 1, H. T. Perkins 0; W. T H. Symons 1, E. Jackson 0; A. E. Symons f, T. W. Symons J. Handicap TourneyXJ. Cole i, T. W. Symons Match v. Australia.—E. F. Tibbitts (New Zealand) i-i, Max Green (Australia) North v. South Island Match.—L. Adderson (5.1.) 1, J. C. Pearson (N. 1.) 0. OTAGO CHESS CLUB. The following are tho leading scores in the club’s tourneys, which will close on February 28;—Championship—R f Watt, 9 wins, X draw, 5 losses j R. M’D.ermid, 8,1, 2; A. J. M’Dermott, 6,4, 0: R. E. Williamson, 5,1, 5; B grade—R. E. Evans, 11 wins, 3 losses; K. S: Allen, 10, 5; Rawnsley, 9,3; handicap—A. J. M’Dermott, 7 wins, 3 Dr Rawnsley, 6,2.; Maws, 1 loss; R. Wtttf, 6 wins, 6 losses; '

The landlord of the present Otago ones* Club’s rooms'has given notice of theaterminaion of the lease. It is hoped - that satisfactory new quarters will be acquired early next year. At a special meeting of. the commmittee-last Saturday evening this unexpected question was fully discussed; a number of possible available rooms being considered. It was finally decided to’ set up a sub-committee, with power to act, to select new quarters. NOTES. Among the more diverting sights at Nottingham was a perspiring Press photographer who confessed candidly that ha found working at a chess congress a more gruelling business than a Rugby football match. “You can’t use a flash or make the slightest sound without getting into trouble!” ha groaned. A few minutes later we saw him trying to photograph Reshevsky and Bcgolyubov. He had coma on the scene at a most inopportune moment, when each player had to make about 10 moves in two minutes. Reshevsky was swaying to and fro in bis chair whilst Bogolyubov in his excitement had vacated his chair altogether and was half-standing, half-kneeling over the board making the moves with one hand and thumping down his clock with the other. We searched in .vain in the papers next day for the photograph he took!—‘ Chess.’